If approved, voters would be asked in
2012 to decide on the definition of marriage. Minnesota state law
already bans gay and lesbian couples from marrying.

Supporters of the measure outstripped
opponents at the hearing.

“Gay marriage advocates have
attempted to hijack the civil rights movement,” Bishop Bob Battle
of the Berean Church of God in Christ told lawmakers. “I know what
civil rights are, and gays in America have all the civil rights as
anyone else.”

“God gave marriage as a gift to Adam
and Eve,” he added.

Republicans won control of both
chambers of the Legislature on November 2, dashing the hopes of gay
marriage supporters who believed the state was poised to become the
sixth in the nation to legalize the institution.